Adolf Eichmann, one of the chief architects of the Holocaust, evaded capture after World War II, only to be tracked down years later in Argentina by Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. Operation Finale (2018) dramatizes this extraordinary mission. His discovery stemmed from an unexpected tip, prompting Mossad to launch a covert operation to abduct him. However, the mission was far from straightforward. Challenges arose, including a last-minute escape attempt and mounting pressure from Argentine authorities. Despite the escalating risks, Mossad successfully smuggled Eichmann to Israel—but was their escape truly seamless? Let’s delve deeper into the full story.
Spoilers Ahead
Operation Finale (2018) Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis:
Who is Adolf Eichmann?
Adolf Eichmann is a senior Nazi officer who spearheads the massive deportation of Jews to concentration camps in World War II. Being one of the prime architects of the Holocaust, he is at the center of the systematic massacre of millions. After Germany is defeated in 1945, though, Eichmann simply vanishes from the scene, as opposed to other Nazi bosses who kill themselves to avoid standing trial.
By 1954, intelligence agencies such as Israel’s Mossad actively pursue fugitive Nazis. But the chase is not always successful. Mossad operative Peter Malkin, while pursuing a Nazi war criminal in Austria, kills the wrong person, tarnishing his reputation. This is the difficulty faced by intelligence operatives in pursuing war criminals who have assumed new identities.
How is Adolf Eichmann Found?
In 1960, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, an unexpected lead emerged. Sylvia Hermann, a young woman, begins dating Klaus Eichmann, Adolf Eichmann’s son. At a family dinner, Klaus makes anti-Semitic remarks, claiming his father died during the war. Sylvia’s father, Lothar Hermann, a German-Jewish man, grows suspicious and reports Klaus’s name to Mossad. This prompts field agent Zvi Aharoni to investigate.
Klaus unknowingly helps confirm his father’s presence. He takes Sylvia to a Nazi revival meeting led by Carlos Fuldner, where Eichmann himself is present. Later, under Mossad’s direction, Sylvia visits Klaus’s home. During an argument, Eichmann, living under the alias Ricardo Klement, intervenes. Klaus accidentally calls him “father,” confirming his identity. A Mossad agent captures a photograph of Eichmann, leading to his eventual capture.
How is Adolf Eichmann Caught? How Does He Justify His Actions?
After Mossad agents confirm Adolf Eichmann’s identity, they formulate a plan to abduct him. Disguised as an El Al airline crew, the team plans to sedate and secretly transport him to Israel for trial. Peter Malkin and his ex-girlfriend Hanna, a doctor, join the team. Hanna’s role is critical, she must keep Eichmann sedated to avoid any resistance during transport.
One night, the team captures Eichmann outside his home in Buenos Aires. His family and Nazi associates quickly suspect something is wrong but struggle to confirm whether his disappearance is linked to his true identity being exposed. While in custody, Eichmann admits who he is to his captors, eliminating any doubts. Mossad encounters major obstacles. Their return flight to Israel is delayed by ten days, forcing them to hold Eichmann in a secure location. Additionally, El Al Airlines refuses to transport him unless he signs an affidavit stating he is willingly going to Israel. Eichmann refuses to sign, convinced he will not receive a fair trial. This puts the mission in jeopardy and strains the team. Some agents, impatient with delays, suggest killing Eichmann outright.
Eichmann’s capture is a mix of careful intelligence work and unexpected human interactions. His eventual signature is not due to legal or moral realization but rather a moment of psychological pressure. His justification reflects a broader theme in Nazi war crime trials, the denial of personal responsibility despite overwhelming evidence.
How does Peter Convince Eichmann to Sign the Papers?
Eichmann resists interrogation. He does not express remorse and claims ignorance of the Holocaust’s brutality. He insists that he handled only logistics, transporting people, not killing them. His defense is the infamous “just following orders” argument, he asserts that he was merely obeying higher-ranking Nazi officials and had no moral responsibility for the atrocities.
Peter Malkin, struggling with personal loss, eventually convinces Eichmann to sign the document. He shares the tragic story of his sister Fruma and her three children, all murdered in the Holocaust. This emotional exchange appears to lower Eichmann’s defenses. While he does not admit guilt, he finally complies, allowing the mission to proceed.
Operation Finale (2018) Movie Ending Explained:
Is Mossad Able to Bring Eichmann to Israel?
As the Mossad team waits for their departure, Klaus Eichmann and the Argentine police intensify their investigation into Adolf Eichmann’s disappearance. The situation worsens when the police circulate a sketch of a Mossad operative. The mission is further compromised when a local Mossad contact is captured and tortured after mistakenly using US dollars instead of Argentine pesos, leading to the safehouse’s exposure.
During this tense period, Eichmann drops his polite act, revealing his true nature. He recounts a horrific memory of watching 5,000 Jews murdered in a pit by the Einsatzgruppen, mockingly suggesting that Peter Malkin’s sister and her child could have been among them. This deeply enrages Peter, almost leading him to kill Eichmann on the spot. Hanna later criticizes Peter, saying he is only thinking about himself, nearly jeopardizing the entire operation.
As they prepare to leave, the police confiscate the plane’s landing permits, grounding their escape. With the Nazis and Argentine authorities closing in, the team is forced to make drastic changes, leaving behind two operatives. At this critical moment, Peter chooses to make the ultimate sacrifice. Still haunted by Hanna’s accusation, he sees a chance to redeem himself. He personally delivers a copy of the permit to air traffic control, ensuring the team’s escape. As the police close in, Peter realizes he has no time to board. Instead, he orders the plane to take off without him, ensuring Eichmann is successfully taken to Israel.
Peter’s choice is pivotal in Mossad’s triumph. If the plane had not taken off, the team would have been apprehended, and Eichmann would have gone free. His decision marks a turning point in his personality. At first, he is controlled by personal vengeance and bereavement, nearly jeopardizing the mission. But ultimately, he prioritizes duty over personal revenge, demonstrating his value to Hanna and the team. Despite colossal challenges, Mossad brought Eichmann to Israel. The operation is one of the greatest acts of audacity in espionage history.
What Happens to Eichmann?
Once brought back to Israel successfully, Adolf Eichmann was put on trial in 1961. The proceedings are broadcast live across the globe, constituting a milestone in history. Eichmann’s role is revealed in the Holocaust after the trial exposes him, dispelling his argument that he was following orders. Holocaust survivors testify, providing the world with the first firsthand accounts of Nazi atrocities.
Eichmann is convicted on several charges, including crimes against humanity and war crimes. In 1962, he was executed by hanging, the only individual ever put to death by the Israeli government. His remains are cremated, and his ashes are scattered over the ocean to prevent any burial ground from becoming a shrine. The trial of Eichmann establishes precedence for prosecuting war criminals. The trial also foregrounds Holocaust witnesses in the collective consciousness, forcing history to recollect the voices of survivors. Peter Malkin, on the other hand, enjoyed a full and prosperous life, dying in 2005.
